Disclaimer: Everything belongs to their rightful owner(s).
Pairing(s): Complicated and developing Haruko/Hanamichi, but we'll see. THERE ARE A LOT OF BROMANCE THOUGH. Maybe.
Genre: Family, Friends, Drama.
Timeline: After the manga ends. Thus, SPOILERS for those who're in the middle of watching/reading it, or something. In the middle/post-rehab.
Warning: This story will exploit heavily on depression, abandonment issues, death, serious medical issues, self-harming and perhaps a few more of triggering matter that would be listed appropriately as the story goes along. Proceed with caution.
Author's Note: I'm sure I've got a few things to say but alas, the words refuse to be formed when I needed them to. Thank you for those who have given this story a read so far—and an even bigger thank you to those who're willing to put in a review. I appreciate you lots and wish a full good week ahead of you!
Chapter 1
September 10
Hanamichi's back and okay again. I've decided to drop a visit today to see how the basketball team is going.
Mitsui still kind of flinches whenever I'm around—but that's okay, because it's not like it's affecting his play at all. Oh, if you weren't informed of it Book, Mitsui had a whole tragic backstory where he was once an MVP from his Junior High and had joined Shohoku Basketball team because of Coach Anzai. Honestly I don't know much about what happened with him and the coach, but I guess it was pretty special to him because there was one time when Coach Gramps got a heart attack and couldn't attend to a game and Mitsui had brought along coach's picture and kind of prayed to it, which in return sets Captain Gori and Hanamichi off because he's treating it as though coach has died, and I mean, if that doesn't describe Micchi's dedication to coach, then I don't know what does.
Anyway. So, apparently, like nearly three years back—when Micchi joined Shohoku for the first time—he got himself injured and I think it was really bad because it was really, really affecting the guy, and I suppose things just quickly went downhill from there. He stopped playing basketball entirely at one point and was holding a grudge towards anybody who does, or, I mean, something like that. It's all very long and sad and emotional and unnecessary because Micchi then gets involved with these group of troublemakers who were then very eager to destroy the basketball team.
Since Noma, Ohkusu, Takamiya and I were always around the gym, we were kinda there when Micchi and his gangs ambushed Hanamichi and the lots. Around twenty minutes later—maybe it's just ten?—Hanamichi was pounding on this gigantic caveman to his feet and I was punching Mitsui repeatedly.
I mean, I wasn't brutal or anything. It's actually kind of surprising how easy it was for me to bring the other guy down since aren't gang leaders, which Micchi was, supposed to be the best fighter out of 'em all?
It's pretty scary for me to write this whole down, huh, Pretty Teacher? A lot of people tend to be surprised to find out that I, of all people, have this side to me. But it's not like it's all bad. My friends and I relatively keep ourselves clean now, especially since Hanamichi has sprung up to become someone people could actually respect, believe it or not. I'd like to think that we're all better people now.
A little lethal, perhaps. But that's only for our own protection.
Anyway, yes. I beat up a senior, and, I don't know—I tried not to make a big deal out of it. Micchi ends up regretting whatever stuff he did when he saw Coach Anzai (like mentioned before, the guy's like, totally in love with Coach Gramps or something), falling immediately to his knees and begging something like, "Can I play? Can I play basketball again, please?" To be honest, it's kind of weird. Sad, too. But mostly weird.
It all works out, though. Micchi was accepted back into the team, and they weren't eliminated from competing in hopes of winning the National Championship for participating in the fight since I redirect the blame to our gang and Micchi's. Sure, I mean, we got suspended for it—but it's not like it's the first time. So, it's okay.
Where was I going with this? Ah, right. Me, visiting the basketball team.
Believe it or not, the team could actually handle themselves after Captain Gori and Megane-kun and Hanamichi were gone. I mean, they lack someone who's large and tall to replace their legendary centre, but based on what Haruko has informed me, they've got a few guys that were quick on their feet on the team now. And the substitutes are making good out of their practice when their scoring rate has improved drastically.
"I mean," Haruko has said, cheerful as ever. "It's not at all helpless!"
Naturally, I chuckled at that, accepting her fact as I take in the busy scenery, before Ryota—that's the new Captain—came forward and asked me about Hanamichi. I leave out the part where he had another traumatic episode, of course—nobody knows about that except for us. Gori and Megane-kun knows too, since they were there when Hanamichi nearly committed suicide upon himself, but we made them promise to keep it a secret, and, I think, Coach Anzai has a feeling about it too. Not about the attempted suicide maybe. But that something was deeply wrong. It started when the big guy once snuck on me that one time and randomly asked how Hanamichi was doing with a very scary yet thoughtful expression—and only told Ryota that he's still recovering, but the doc says he's progressing quicker than they've anticipated, so that's exciting.
Ryota looks glad—like actually, genuinely glad—and Ayako started asking more about if she can get Hanamichi's official medical status to predict when he'll come back. I told her that I don't know, which I really don't, but also at the same time because I think Hanamichi's state has led his file to be confidential and maybe Ayako can ask personally from the rehab centre, but I doubt she'll get the full official assessment from the doctor.
I left quickly after that, with Haruko's letter perched between the pages of you, Book/Sakura/Kiku. A letter for Hanamichi. It's with me now, and I'm kinda looking at it as I'm writing down. I mean, it's not weird. (I guess it is, a little.) And I'm not curious. Maybe I'm sad, because do you know when Haruko starts sending Hanamichi's letters, Book/Sakura/Kiku?
Right after Hanamichi had that mental breakdown in the bathroom and tried, to, you know... well, let's just call it his Worst Day from now on, shall we? I feel really bad about having to remind that event every time. But, well.
Anyway.
I think it's Gori's doing. I think, it's Gori's way of helping without telling anybody what happened. So he must've asked Haruko to send Hanamichi a letter, maybe as an attempt to cheer Hanamichi up. It worked, thankfully. Hanamichi was definitely a happy man when he received that latter. And I'm glad they're still corresponding even until now.
I wonder if Hanamichi secretly knows that Takenori might be involved in this whole letter-sending thing.
Maybe he does. Maybe he doesn't. Who knows. It's a wonder what goes through Hanamichi's head sometimes.
Woah. My hand is super tired now. I wrote a lot today. Guess I'd do anything except study, huh? Well, Eri's currently blaring at me from the other side of the door and quite possibly trying to have the whole wooden structure demolished to pieces. I'm gonna go and see what she wants. Something about a shoe or whatever. She's always finding ways to make life more difficult. Guess, you better be grateful you don't have a sister Book/Sakura/Kiku.
But then again, you're an object. You won't be able to have any familial relation with anybody. Maybe a tree? How about a cardboard?
September 13
Before we proceed further, I'd like to firmly state that once again, this book is private and confidential, even to you, Mito Eri, WHO IS A VERY BUSY BODY LITTLE BRAT and a girl, and no, I will not be writing about girls in here. So, you better put down this book instantly or I'm telling mom you're interfering with my English assignments. You know how proud mom is about me taking these classes.
Sincerely,
Your Most Handsome Brother.
PS: YOU THINK I WOULDN'T NOTICE BUT I DID
Oh, and Book, have I ever mentioned that Eri has a crush on Hanamichi? I think it starts out like, even before Hanamichi and I were best friends. Do you know how weird that is? It is really weird. Of course Hanamichi is tragically oblivious to Eri's feelings, when he'd only seen Eri as his kid sister too. I mean, yeah, sometimes it's really fun to see Eri being completely crestfallen every time Hanamichi treats her back like she's nothing more than the girl he knew since she was four—but mostly—MOSTLY it's just gross.
Still though, it's fun watching Eri trying to curse Haruko. TRYING. (Yeah, she knows about Hanamichi's one-sided love. Like I said: gross.)
Author's Note: Don't worry, Eri—who is an OC of mine—will have no romantic relationship with Hanamichi whatsoever. So far, I'd like to think that Hanamichi only sees her as a sister, or someone who's close to it, and he'll be seeing her as one for a long, long amount of time. Plus, Eri's thirteen years old. So. Yeah. Let's not get overboard here, people.